South Dakota Government Blog by Bob Mercer

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Republican U.S. Sen. John Thune, as the Senate Commerce Committee chairman, presided at a congressional hearing last week that was a rarity because five federal Cabinet members testified. The topic was developing twenty-first century infrastructure, a goal that Thune said he shares with Republican President Donald Trump.

Thune noted in his latest weekly column: “While the underlying principle of keeping our nation more interconnected remains the same, the way we do it is always changing. It’s no longer just roads, bridges, and railroads that primarily define our nation’s infrastructure. For example, in rural states like ours, lack of access to reliable high-speed internet can make all the difference in the world for a family or small business.”

He added: “The president’s proposal also dedicates funding to rural community needs since toll roads and other revenue-dependent strategies for building new infrastructure in urban areas wouldn’t work in states like South Dakota.

“The Senate Finance Committee, of which I’m also a member, will be responsible for examining ways to pay for these proposals, but it will be up to other committees, like the one I chair, to first develop them, and I hope this is an area where bipartisanship is achievable.

“For example, both sides want to invest in and modernize our infrastructure. Both sides want that investment to address an array of infrastructure needs – not only roads and bridges, but also needs like broadband and waterways. Both sides want to break down barriers for innovative technologies. And both sides want to make our existing programs work better for South Dakotans and the rest of the American people. Together we can make it happen.”

An additional seven stretches of South Dakota highways become subject to seasonal weight restrictions of seven tons per axle at 3 p.m. CT Thursday, March 15, the state Department of Transportation announced Wednesday. They are:

US 16A, from Custer State Park east gate to SD 44, covering 29.6 miles;

SD 36, from US 16A to SD 79, covering nine miles;

SD 40, from Hayward to the Cheyenne River, covering 30.7 miles;

SD87, from Wind Cave National Park to US 16/385, covering 30.8 miles;

SD 71, from Nebraska state line to two miles south of the Cheyenne River, covering 21 miles;

The state Department of Transportation announced Wednesday morning four additional South Dakota highways will be under seasonal load restrictions. The limits take effect at 10 a.m. CT Thursday, March 15. They are:

SD 42, from US 281 east to the Davison County line, covering 5.9 miles;

SD 1804, from SD 44 to Platte Creek, covering eight miles;

SD 1806, from US 18 north to Whetstone, covering 10 miles;

SD 1806, from SD 44 to Lucas Corner, covering 5.9 miles; and

SD 251, from Nebraska state line to US 18, covering 15.8 miles.

All of those stretches will be limited to six tons per axle. The restrictions remain in effect until further notice.

Members of the South Dakota Legislature withdrew 13 House bills and nine Senate bills during the 2018 session, according to statistics the Legislative Research Council compiled. The 22 were a record high.

Lt. Gov. Matt Michels accepted hugs from Democratic senators Troy Heinert and Kevin Killer after receiving star quilt Friday honoring Michels for his service as a House member and as lieutenant governor.

House Speaker Mark Mickelson read a tribute to Rep. Jim Schaefer, R-Kennebec, Friday morning written by Schaefer’s family. Replied Schaefer, who is terms-limited in the House and is retiring: “We always say, If you’re not a bother, you’re not worth having around.” Schaefer attended what today is Northern State University in Aberdeen where he was campus president for the college Republicans.